Ratings: AMC, OWN, TLC Among Notable Cable Gainers in 2014

The quarterly ratings fortunes of cable networks often ride on a single show, and that was the case for the likes of AMC, A&E and OWN during the first three months of the year.

AMC surged behind record ratings for “The Walking Dead,” and OWN had its best showing to date thanks in large part to Tyler Perry soap “The Haves and the Have Nots.” On the other hand, the decline of “Duck Dynasty,” though still a top program, produced noticeable declines for A&E.

Overall according to Nielsen primetime estimates for the quarter (Dec. 30, 2013 through March 30, 2014), TBS prevailed in the key demos of adults 18-49, 25-54 and 18-34 but was down about 10% from last year; it had won a year ago in 18-49 and 18-34. The cable home to repeats of “The Big Bang Theory” also aired three of the quarter’s top 10 original cable comedies, led by “Cougar Town” (1.9 million).

USA saw a fairly steep decline of 22% in total viewers but still maintained the top spot — for an unprecedented ninth straight year — as No. 2 History was down by nearly as much.

“WWE Monday Night Raw,” “White Collar” and “Psych” were the top series in 18-49 for the network, which noted that its median age for the quarter (47.4) was nearly five years younger than Q1 of last year; this is evident in the fact that its year-over-year declines were a lesser 9% in adults 18-49 and just 5% in adults 18-34. Off-net repeats of “Modern Family,” new reality show “Chrisley Knows Best” and third-year drama “Suits” were the main drivers of the youth movement.

AMC ranked fourth for the quarter in adults 18-49 (up from eighth a year ago) behind the best averages to date for “The Walking Dead” (8.9 rating in 18-49, 17.37 million viewers overall in “most current” Nielsen estimates).”Walking Dead” was one of three scripted series among the quarter’s top 10 original cable series in 18-49; the others were FX’s “American Horror Story” and BET’s “Being Mary Jane.”

Also for AMC, post-show discussion program “Talking Dead” also shot up and was cable’s No. 4 original primetime series for the quarter in 18-49 (3.1 rating).

A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” was the No. 2 cable original in 18-49 (3.9 rating) and total viewers (9.44 million) but its averages were well down from Q1 of last year. Net’s other top shows in 18-49 were reality series “Wahlburgers” (1.7) and drama “Bates Motel” (1.3).

OWN was one of the big movers for the quarter, rising in adults 18-49 from No. 42 a year ago to No. 33 in 2014 and claiming the most-watched quarter in network history (552,000, up 57% from last year). Hot soap “The Haves and the Have Nots” topped the 3-million viewer mark on five occasions, including 3.6 million for its season finale — a record for an OWN telecast.

The net also got contributions from Wednesday’s “Love Thy Neighbor” and Saturday’s “Raising Whitley,” “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” and “Deion’s Family Playbook.”

TLC had its most-watched first quarter in a decade and its best in three years among adults 18-49 and 25-54. The net was powered by returning faves “The Little Couple,” “Sister Wives,” “Long Island Medium” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” as well as newcomers “90 Day Fiance” and “Sex Sent Me to the ER.”

Bravo held steady in total viewers and set network records for a quarter in key demos, ranking No. 10 among all cablers in adults 25-54. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” was cable’s No. 5-rated original series for the quarter in 18-49 (2.2 rating) — up double-digits from last year and on pace to be the highest-rated season of the “Housewives” franchise among all key demos.

Another network looking good was Destination America, which shot up by double-digits across the board for its top quarter yet. It was led by series “Hillbilly Blood,” “Monsters & Mysteries in America” and “Buying the Bayou.”

On the news side, Fox ranked seventh among all cable networks for the quarter in total viewers and 30th in adults 25-54 — rising vs. last year in both categories while CNN (No. 38 in total viewers, No. 40 in the demo) and MSNBC (No. 31 in total viewers and No. 34 in the demo) were down.